July 18, 2012 7:22 am

Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch on the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

John McGrath of The Tacoma News Tribune believes the Seattle made a calculated risk in handling over a high-dollar contract to Marshawn Lynch. And now the team’s worst nightmare has been realized with the talented running back experiencing another brush with the law.

McGrath: Whether Lynch is charged with a DUI doesn’t matter. The reckless driving that almost caused two accidents on a highway last weekend will prevent Lynch from participating in the season opener, and given his already substantial police record, it’s likely he’ll be forced to sit out a minimum of three games.

And if the DUI charge is tagged on? The penalty will be doubled.

In hindsight, it was absurd for the Seahawks to guarantee $18 million to a 26-year-old athlete with a checkered history. But hindsight shouldn’t be used cavalierly. Lynch arrived in Seattle and personified the identity of a team that didn’t have one. The Seahawks saw him as the ultimate franchise player, and can you blame them?

Thing is, Lynch also saw himself as the ultimate franchise player. After signing a contract that made him lucky for life, he inhabited a poster that depicted him as larger than life.

Life was good, so good he assumed he was entitled to make his own rules. My way or the highway? No, not exactly. For Lynch, it was more like “my way on the highway, so get out of the way, you useless fool, because my destination is more important than yours.”

Clare Farnworth of Seahawks.com reviews the quarterback position with less than two weeks before the beginning of training camp. Farnsworth offers these final thoughts: Regardless of who wins the starting job, the position is stronger than it was last season – when there was no offseason for first-year coordinator Darrell Bevell to install his offense and Jackson was named the starter before ever practicing because he also played under Bevell with the Minnesota Vikings. Incumbent backup Charlie Whitehurst has re-signed with the San Diego Chargers, the team that traded him to the Seahawks in 2010. He will be replaced by the second-place finisher in the QB competition. Do not read anything into the amount of money the team paid to sign Flynn in free agency or the fact that Wilson is a rookie. As Jackson has said, “He’s not like a regular rookie.” Coach Pete Carroll will go with the quarterback who wins the on-going competition, and gives the Seahawks their best chance to win.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports predicts a 7-9 record for Seattle in his season preview, and talks to a scout who believes that the Seahawks have three back-up quarterbacks in Tarvaris Jackson, Matt Flynn and Russell wilson.

Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders places Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin atop his list of the top 25 hidden talents in the NFL. Fellow receivers Ricardo Lockette and Kris Durham make the list. You must be an ESPN Insider to view this.

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning is the highest paid football player at No. 7, with an $18 million salary and $13 million in endorsements for a total of $31 million in 2012.

English Soccer club Chelsea FC practices at Seahawks headquarters in anticipation of the team’s upcoming exhibition against the Seattle Sounders this week. Check out Seattle linebacker K.J. Wright testing his soccer skills here and here.

ESPN’s John Clayton takes a league-wide look at player contracts that end in 2013 and 2014. Seattle has nine players up in the next two years, which is in the lower half of the league. Players that Seattle would like to get done sooner rather than later include Kam Chancellor, Max Unger, Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin.

Don Banks of Sports Illustrated writes that despite the popular opinion that running backs are a disposable position, the league’s best backs are getting paid.

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About

Gregg Bell joined The News Tribune in July 2014. Bell had been the director of writing for the University of Washington's athletic department for four years. He was the senior national sports writer in Seattle for The Associated Press from 2005-10, covering the Seahawks in their first Super Bowl season and beyond. He's also been The Sacramento Bee's beat writer on the Oakland Athletics and Raiders. The native of Steubenville, Ohio, is a 1993 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and a 2000 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.

Feeds

Marshawn’s error is going to be expensive for everybody. Look at the first half of the schedule. 2-6 is not an impossibility with a limited run game to support a new quarterback. Nonetheless, gotta have faith…

The McGrath piece confuses me a bit. Lynch was arrested on suspicion of DUI, not reckless driving, as he suggests. Moreover, if it were “simply” reckless driving, why would a suspension be involved? Which leads me to his statement of fact that Lynch “will” miss the opener regardless. It’s far to early to know that with any certainty. Even if the league rules quickly, for them, Lynch could appeal and that may not get heard until after week 1. At least potentially. No, there are too many variables at play right now to know for certain if Lynch will get clipped and when it may start. Calm down, John…

I usually like McGrath but, this piece is just PURE TRASH! I wonder if he actually believes it or is just desperate for readers so is being intentionally provocative.

“McGrath: Whether Lynch is charged with a DUI doesn’t matter. The reckless driving that almost caused two accidents on a highway last weekend will prevent Lynch from participating in the season opener, and given his already substantial police record, it’s likely he’ll be forced to sit out a minimum of three games”

Really? It doesn’t matter if he is actually charged with a DUI? How does that make ANY sense? The officer CLAIMS that he almost caused two accidents. Far from a fact. I guess it’s one thing if they charge him with reckless driving or something else but, McGrath doesn’t mention this. He seems to think that charges actually being pressed, much less an actual CONViCTION, are irrelevant to someone’s guilt or innocence. The 20 $ bill story? No charges. No evidence. Believe it if you want but, don’t confuse it with a fact. His, “already substantial police record”. His police record is in fact ONE MISDEMEANOR weapons charge! I guess ONE means SUBSTANTIAL now. The hit and run incident was disposed as a TRAFFIC INFRACTION, not a CRIMINAL CONVICTION! Again, not much evidence. The woman had minor injuries and may have just been looking to sue, which she in fact did even though she only had a bruised hip and a seven stitch cut on her thigh. No one witnessed it. Lynch claims that there was a drunken woman dancing in the street that he let pass and some speculate it was her, see Wikipedia. She may have just drunkenly fell into his car. There was video surveillance of the intersection and the police couldn’t see enough to criminally charge him. Try doing a modicum of research for your piece.

With a very tough, front-loaded schedule, a 2-4/1-5 start might be realistic with or without the Beast. Getting him back after six games – with fresh legs – at a point when the quarterback should be up to speed, could still have the ‘Hawks in contention by the end of the season. The silver lining. . .

It’s a shame how a guy gets arrested for a charge most people in the world get arrested for and now he’s a risk.Smh..I guess he is now the devil and now the Hawks should cut him right?Personally I don’t think its that serious to go crazy over.They truly act like he killed someone.I don’t care what anyone says its not that serious.

You just made 18 million dollars, with the potential for 31 million. There isn’t a man here that wouldn’t throw it all away for a pimpin’ 3AM joyride in a ford van.

The team is bigger than Lynch. Turbin can step in for a month or so…I don’t think it (Lynch potentially being out) is a big deal as most are making it out to be. Lynch was great last year, yes. But, until you see Turbin run there’s no way to know what can be expected of him.

Pretty hyperbolic piece by McGrath. Silly and exaggerative to call this the Seahawks ‘worst nightmare’, this will play out, and be forgotten, unless it happens again, and then, I’ll agree with the sentiment. But let’s not jump the gun just to have something to fill up a column.

An interesting point made by a poster under the McGrath piece about why he was the driving the van that has been brought up many times. He was in Oakland to put on a youth football camp to help keep kids there engaged and off the street. That’s probably why he had the van, to carry around equipment.

It’s not that its his first run-in with the law. He’s up to number 3 now and has already served one 3 game suspension. And his transgressions have not been of the victimless nature.

Goodell doesn’t need much to act here and act harshly. He’s protecting $40 Billion in franchise values here and he’s not going to let habitual offenders like Marshawn Lynch bring it down. I don’t think Roethlisberger was ever charged with anything and he served a lengthy suspension after incident number 2.

When exactly did Lynch convey a sense of entitlment? When did he ever convey a my way or the highway type of attitude? When did he ever refer to a coach, teammate or member of the media as a useless fool?

Perhaps Lynch appeared a bit to intimating in the photos of the Seahawks new uniform, therefore he must be your typical Thug, making it rain, dog fighting, skittle eatin ball player.

Coming to the defense of Joreb, here. Couple people on this blog habitually shout down and insult differing points of view, particularly on this topic. Almost comically. Take a deep breath, buddy.

Back on topic, I believe the O-line play is equal to or more important than Marshawn. Love his iconic runs, but can they not get good production from another big back? Upside, if suspended he comes back fresh in week 5 after several weeks of working on his public image.

This article comes off as character bashing. Not saying Lynch is a saint or wasn’t even in the wrong but after reading this article you are left with impression M.L. is a person who has always been in trouble with the law and is not a team player who is all about himself.
As far as I know this his his first miss step since coming to Seattle and I haven’t heard any negative comment come from him or said about him since his time here. Now after one incident he becomes a guy who was a huge risk with an even worse attitude.

jboard1: I have not had an opportunity to look at the language in Lynch’s contract, so I can’t speak specifically about the potential for the organization to void the deal based on his behavior. But in general, I would be surprised if Seahawks’ brass took this type of approach. Like everyone else, they are just waiting for all of the facts to come in before deciding a course of action. I think it’s more likely that they’ll back Lynch, if nothing new comes out that hasn’t already been reported.

Most of use aren’t paid millions of dollars, and have 53 people counting on us. Marshawn let his team down, coaches, fans, himself down, and thats just him being in Oakland. I’m expecting a four game suspension seeing as Lynch already served a three, and Goodel rarely goes lighter the second time around. A conviction isn’t needed either, just ask Roethlisberger, or Pacman Jones.

Best thing to do is get Turbin ready, and hope our defense can hold. Everyone here knew Lynch was a risk, but I thought he valued prime time more than Miller Time. His fumbling problems, and personal demons need to be worked out, or PC needs to stick a person on him to keep him from making stupid decisions that affect more than him.

I’d really like to hear more evidence on the weaving in the road and almost causing 2 accidents. I’ve personally been pulled over at 4am on a Saturday morning while on my way to work and accused of weaving and asked if I was drunk. There was absolutely no truth those accusations, but it was the excuse the cop used to pull me over to find out why someone was driving around that early in the morning and looking for secondary offenses.

McGrath is really jumping to conclusions on this article. Come on, really? I know some self hating Hawks fans who are already declaring the season over on the report, but a reporter? There is so much jumping off into speculation that goes far beyond just speculation of a suspension that I could swear Skip Bayless wrote this. You’re better than this John.

To answer the question of the post, Hell yes he is worth it. The offense is built around him. Did anybody watch what he can do on the field with a little (and I mean little) help from his friends? This guy at the second level maybe the best we will see as a seahawk for a very long time. I liked goody two shoes Alexander, but Lynch gets it done with out Walter Jones and Hutch. Take one look at the Clev game from last year to understand his impact. Is he an idiot for being on the road at 3:30AM after a couple beers, yes, of course. But to condemn the man, that many many of you did the same this, at 26 years old for acting like this..hell at 26 I did likely much more stupid stuff. No one got injured, and there was no property damage. People keep bringing up Rapistberger. That A$$hole raped a woman. He did the unspeakable. Lynch did what? He is doing good for his community, and pushed it too far for too long. At 26 I thought I could pull it off too..oh well. So is Lynch worth it..every day, and every week he when he straps on his pads, he makes this team better. Rest it people. Get all high and mighty on something that matters.

“The infraction marks Lynch’s third major offense in three years, including his hit-and-run in Buffalo in 2008 and misdemeanor gun charge in 2009. Remember, it was the running back’s run-ins with the law and bizarre personality that gradually ostracized him from the Bills’ organization, not necessarily his talent or production.

The Buffalo News’ Tim Graham harkens back to the Bills’ dilemma of trading Lynch in 2010, which arose because of Buffalo’s stable of running backs and Lynch’s behavior ranging from enigmatic to unlawful.

“Lynch was only 24 years old and already had a Pro Bowl campaign to his credit when the Bills tried to trade him. But teams refused to offer market value for Lynch because the Bills had no leverage.”

Graham further notes the likelihood of a stiff suspension on the horizon for Lynch from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The Cal star received a three-game ban in 2010 as a repeat offender. Could six or eight games be the service for this arrest?

If Marshawn get suspended 4 games or more and the Seahawk management does not have some way of recouping at least part of the Guaranteed money(not cut him)then they should be the ones worried about their jobs.

It seems obvious to me that Lynch just doesn’t get it. Goodel will see this and hammer him hard. Rightfully so. The NFL is a billion dollar business and is trying to rid itself of these “problem children”, who repeatedly are in trouble with the law. This fiasco could lead to another losing season and put JS and PC’s jobs in question…..no running game, QB’s under pressure, early losses, below .500 season. I’d like to believe that this won’t happen, but a 6-8 game suspension is a disaster…don’t kid yourself!

Long time reader/first time participant…I heard on the radio this AM that Lynch’s contract has a provision that voids it, including the guaranteed $ if he’s suspended by the league. Only caught the tail end. Anyone else hear this?

The Bible-quoting athletes like Jon Kitna and Justin Forsett can be annoying at times, but at least we don’t have to worry about what they’re doing at 3 a.m.

On the topic of valuing high-character guys, I read a PFT report that Tim Ruskell is now a regional scout for the Titans. It’s like a former Pro Bowl QB taking a job as as a third-stringer. Not many can swallow their pride like that.

“No one got injured, and there was no property damage. People keep bringing up Rapistberger. That A$$hole raped a woman. He did the unspeakable. Lynch did what? He is doing good for his community, and pushed it too far for too long. At 26 I thought I could pull it off too..oh well. So is Lynch worth it..every day, and every week he when he straps on his pads, he makes this team better. Rest it people. Get all high and mighty on something that matters.”

Nobody got injured, but he still endangered other drivers, and could have killed somebody. Lynch has fumbling problems, and we could have gotten a better RB keeping that 2nd round pick. He just made ARZ, DAL, GB and even the Rams better by his subtraction. Doesn’t sound like he’s going to be putting on pads on Sunday for a while, but it’s alright he’s only 26, and not accountable to his team, coaches, fans, or other motorist.

First, like many here, you are jumping the gun. The player in question, Mr Lynch, has not been charged. It is an allegation that he did anything wrong at all. To the contrary, he was likely nodding off at 3AM. Having done the same countless times, I have to take the wait and see on this one.

Even if convicted, was he a stumbling drunk? Not likely. No mention of it in the cop reports. Likely the cop did a routine check, and found Lynch had alcohol on his breath, did the checks. Was it smart to be out there driving at 3AM aftyer drinking, obviously not..not for any of us. But cut the 26 year old a break..he had a lot of community service planned on his off hours from his regular job. What did you do volunteering over that weekend? Get all high and mighty about all of us (me included) people who did no community service over the weekend. Start looking at the positives and you guys might realize, one, this was an unfortunate incident by a typical 26 year old with a loaded schedule (of community service). Does the law need to fall on him, hell yeah, IF FOUND GUILTY. (He hasnt been charged yet). But to discuss dumping him, wow, just wow..bunch of squirrelly fans is what it sounds like to me.

This could mean a lot of things, but assuming that Ross Tucker chose his words precisely, the Seahawks could go ahead and release Lynch and pay him no guaranteed money if Goodell does suspend him. I don’t think it happens, but I would put the chances at 20% if Tucker is correct.

What I want to see is the Seahawks create a personnel structure so solid that every position but QB on the team is replaceable without much effect because of great drafting and great depth. We saw that last year in the 2 hardest hit positions of CB and OL. Turbin’s performance will be a great test of this.

He was likely nodding off didn’t know that made a person fail a CHEMICAL test after the standard FST. He also doesn’t need to be found guilty for him to be suspended, and I do most of my community service by donating food, clothes, recycle, not DWI, Wreckless driving, or doing a hit n run. You know the basics. You keep bringing up the fact he’s 26, but most people aren’t stupid enough to DWI at any age. He could have taken a cab, but he’s made stupid decisions that affect more than himself.

He isn’t even a top 2o rb in the league, and is lucky Dez Bryant is a a scumbag compared to Lynch who just is crazy

I don’t remember these negative comments and talk about cutting him and voiding his contract when Lofa got his DUI. And Lynch hasn’t even been charged with anything. Innocent until proven guilty??? Where did that go?

Personally, I think Lynch will be disciplined and will be better for it. Is he worth it? IMO…yes. It’s disappointing and I hope that our organization might go out of there way to make sure athletes have drivers available to them to take away any excuses. You’d like to think the athletes themselves would be responsible enough, but since they often times aren’t I think it’d be in the best interest of our team to find a way to make sure it doesn’t happen again. They could cut him, but the talent and morale would be difficult to replace.

Regarding CAPS, occasional caps is one thing. Having it in every post and often or numerous in nature is annoying. Instead of firing back at all of us who often constructively criticize you bbnate420, why not just be accountable, take your lumps and make the adjustment?

Well, I was pretty certain Leroy Hill was going to get some jail time for his incident, especially since he was still on parole when his condo was raided and yet everything was dropped. I still see an scenario where charges get dropped and he even avoids suspension. I’m willing to wait and see more evidence come out. There’s still a lot that’s not public yet.

Lynch made a mistake. A very stupid one at that. If he didn’t have some drinks he would not be in this spot. But according to the police report he did. We have all made mistakes and had to suffer the consequences. Now the courts will decide his consequences. And his consequences will fit the crime. First time DUI offenders usually make a plea bargain to a lesser charge while putting in language that he can’t have the same mistake in a given time. Im sure this will be the case. If he makes the same mistake twice, then I’m all for nailing him. Do I condone his behavior? Hell no. But as of now, this is a one time mistake and his behavior should be corrected. How he handles this adversity will show what kind of man he is. We shouldn’t fry him for this mistake.

bbnate420- You have some very good points with your posts, however you’re starting to get out of hand like you did when your username was NateDog, the EMT guy that lost his composure and went off on just about everyone. NateDog didn’t last too long did he?

Ok I see what type of person you are.Sarcastic should be your name.Who the hell are you to try and correct me?Is this a blog or a class?Last time I checked I had my education so you trying to be a teacher does me no benefit dumbass.Maybe you should just worry about you and yours and stop worrying about the next man.I come on here to talk Seahawks not make friends and learn lessons.So trying to make me look stupid doesn’t make me feel bad.

What a lousy SHAME, what POOR judgement………..I see/read many sports writers pointing out Lynch’s and others transgressions BUT I don’t see anyone saying ZILCH about Drew Brees recent DUI [didn't he get one too]????????? Is it TABOO to get negative on Drew?

orbeavhawk,no Drew Brees didn’t get any DUI(I live in New Orleans).But I agree there is nothing being said about these other guys who commit worse acts.There hasn’t been anything said since about Big Ben even though he clearly committed an act that he should have received jail time for.

Worse mistake by Marshawn, but everyone knew he wasn’t a choir boy. A suspension will hurt the team no doubt, but I suspect that Marshawn will work to make that up to his team mates all season long. A couple of hundred yard games and a few TDs and eventually this too shall pass.

Drew Brees and Ben Raplisberger aren’t Seattle Seahawks. So their off field incidents (or lack thereof) are of no relevance here unless they’re on the schedule.

Despicable though Rothlisberger is, he wasn’t even charged by the police with his offense. Goodell still dinged him. Lynch has been charged – unless the LA police withdraw it, he’s actually on shakier ground than Raplisberger from a league enforcement perspective. He actually has been officially charged by authorities.

If you don’t like people correcting you, then cease to post in a public forum. As long as you make asinine comments, you will be corrected. The idea that most people get DUI’s is so far out of the bounds of reality that I was assuming you were being facetious. The fact you think it is that way and don’t like anyone who disagrees with you is laughable.

For the record, I don’t make you look stupid. You require no assistance.

Sarcasticus, I couldn’t agree more! Not necessarily with your argument with Ewalters, I don’t want to get involved in that, but with your first sentence of your last post. I haven’t personally insulted anyone. If you cannot handle me calling you out when you distort or completely get the FACTS wrong then you can go and cry to someone that cares. Are you men or little boys? The point of this is dialogue, dissent, and hopefully discovery. If you just want to read your own thoughts, get yourself a pad of paper!

Georgia, your post is funny as hell. Yes, that was me and I’M STILL HERE BUDDY! Not sure what your point was. Feel free to paste one of my posts where I, “got out of hand”. I will gladly respond. I wasn’t blocked. Just decided to change my name. So guess again.

Hammajamma, when have I ever shouted someone on here down? How could you POSSIBLY even shout someone down in print? And joreb was the one that insulted me, by mocking me for CAPITALIZING, before I insulted him. Maybe you need to go back and re-read the posts? If you call it insulting someone because I call someone out when they misrepresent the facts then that is just childish. You cannot tolerate someone challenging your opinion? If you just want a place to spew your views without any challenge then, I suggest you yell them at the wall. I bet it won’t disagree with you.

joreb, I personally don’t understand why people get their panties in a bunch about capitalizing words. But if you think your first post was “constructive criticism”, I beg to differ. If you had not mocked me and actually asked me why I did it then I would’ve given you a genuine answer. You could’ve even said you didn’t like the way I post without mocking the capitalizing and you probably would’ve gotten a different response. I am open to criticism if I find it has some merit and is delivered without malice. Regardless, the real point is that if you don’t like what I post then YOU CAN CHOSE TO NOT READ IT!!!!!

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